Ben is a Ghanaian living in the United States, and he shared his journey on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami. Ben moved to the U.S. about a year ago through unconventional means and says the journey came with intense struggles.
Born in Dansoman-Mateheko but originally from Kwahu, Ben grew up dreaming of becoming a footballer. He played football actively but never had anyone to push or support him, so the dream faded. He later started selling phone accessories at UTC Circle, but the income was too little, and transportation costs consumed almost everything he earned. Realizing things were not improving, he decided to find money and travel abroad for better opportunities.
Ben revealed that his mother had planned to buy him a taxi so he could work and earn a living, but he asked her to save the money instead and support his travel plans. When he finally secured a visa appointment, his mother used the money saved for the taxi to pay for his visa processes. In total, he spent over GH¢40,000 on the journey—money he never knew his mother even had.
After securing his visa, Ben left Ghana with only US$50 in his pocket. When he arrived in America, he missed his connecting flight and had to sleep at the airport until the person who helped process his travel documents came to pick him up. He eventually managed to secure a restaurant job, which he describes as “under the table” — meaning he worked without official papers.
Ben says life abroad is not glamorous like many people imagine. He knew only three people in the U.S. before he arrived, and although they constantly asked him for money, none of them checked up on him or supported him when he needed help. According to him, the hustle in America is real, and only people prepared for hard work survive.
He also expressed regret about not learning a trade or skill before leaving Ghana, believing it would have made his life easier abroad. Despite the challenges, he is determined to keep pushing. His dream is to return to Ghana one day, open his own restaurant, and run his own business.
Ben’s story highlights the tough reality many migrants face abroad—far from the perfect life that social media often paints—but he remains hopeful and focused on building a better future.
Watch The Video Below:
About The Author
